Begonia listada

Striped Begonia

Moderate careTerrestrialMildly toxic15–90 cm

Native to Paraguay, Begonia listada is grown for its striking dark green leaves, each marked with a vivid chartreuse central stripe and a deep mahogany underside — a combination rarely seen in begonias of its size. It does best in the stable warmth and high humidity of a closed terrarium, where its near-constant moisture needs are met without daily intervention. In drier conditions it tends to drop leaves quickly, but in an enclosed setup it rewards patience with consistently ornamental foliage.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Striped Begonia image

Photo by 彭鏡毅 (Peng Jingyi)·CC BY-SA 3.0

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 10–30 °C, and reaches 90 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C – 30°C

Soil

Loamy(preferred)Well draining

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Propagation

Take healthy stem cuttings and place in a moist mix of sphagnum and perlite. Maintain high humidity — a closed terrarium or humidity dome works well — and expect roots to establish over several weeks.

Native range

Native to Southern South America.

Appearance

Growth habit

Bushy

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

Velvety

Frequently asked

Can Striped Begonia grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Striped Begonia prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Striped Begonia need drainage?

Striped Begonia prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Striped Begonia need?

Striped Begonia does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Striped Begonia pet-safe?

Striped Begonia is mildly toxic if ingested — keep out of reach of pets and children.

How tall does Striped Begonia grow?

Striped Begonia typically reaches 15–90 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Striped Begonia?

Striped Begonia can be propagated by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2

    Plantophiles — Begonia Listada Plant Care Best Practices

    https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/begonia-listada/
  3. 3
  4. 4

    Terrarium Tribe — Begonia Terrarium Guide

    https://terrariumtribe.com/begonia-terrarium/
  5. 5

    American Begonia Society — Vegetative Propagation

    https://www.begonias.org/vegetative-propagation/